Nokia has released a beta version of its Transit app to be used on Asha touch phones to help users find their way when travelling on public transport.

The application is already available for its Windows Phone-based smartphones. The version for its Asha touch phones allows users to save favorite trips for offline usage, which lets them save time and money on data plans, Nokia said ina blog post on Tuesday.

The app works with the Asha 305, 306, 308, 309 and 311, according to the blog post. The latest addition to the Asha range, the 310, isn't listed, but the Tranist app should work on it since it uses the same underlying OS. Although the app hasn't been explicitly tested on Nokia Asha 310, it is compatible with the device, a Nokia spokeswoman said via email.

The Asha 310 was announced by Nokia last month and is the first model from the company that offers slots for two SIM cards as well as Wi-Fi for faster data access.

Nokia doesn't give any details on when a final version of the Transit application is to be released. But the company said that it is likely "to graduate to a commercial product."

The battle for the advanced feature phone market has recently become more competitive. Last month, Samsung Electronics launched the REX family, which will compete with Nokia in countries like India and Brazil.

The Asha family has given Nokia some respite while it struggles with sales of its Windows Phone-based Lumia family. During the last three months of 2012 it sold 9.3 million Asha touch phones, compared to 4.4 million Lumia smartphones.

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ARN Exchange: Channel discusses security spending priorities

Customers spending priorities, drawing up a security strategy for customers and partners, detailing how partners can increase profit through security and outlining key areas of market growth ahead were some of the topics discussed at the ARN Exchange event in Sydney. Partners got together to talk about the spending priorities of customers within the security market today and the skills required from partners to deliver those services. The event was in association with Juniper Networks, Webroot, Cloud Plus and Mimecast. Photos by Christine Wong.

What are the spending priorities of customers within the security market today and what are the skills required from partners to deliver those services? An overview of the security market in Australia was debated in the ARN Exchange event in Melbourne with discussions covering the customers spending priorities, drawing up a security strategy for customers and partners, detailing how partners can increase profit through security and outlining key areas of market growth ahead. The event was in association with Juniper Networks, Webroot, Cloud Plus and Mimecast. Photos by Raymond Korn.

The channel came together for the forth running of the ARN Emerging Leaders Forum in Australia, created to provide a program that identifies, educates and showcases the upcoming talent of the ICT industry.
Hosted as a half day forum, attendees heard from industry specialists as keynoters and panellists discussed leadership paths and career choices. Hall of Fame members and industry mentors​ hosted small groups of future leaders to mentor and advise.
This also marked ARN's inaugural 30 Under 30 Tech Awards, which recognised young talent in the Australian IT industry across technical, sales, marketing, management, human resources and entrepreneur categories.
Photos by Christine Wong.

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